The Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab) is a first of its kind organization with technical and policy expertise on disinformation, connective technologies, democracy, and the future of digital rights. Incubated at the Atlantic Council in 2016, the DFRLab has conducted over 1,000 investigations exposing influence operations and emerging digital threats worldwide.

With a team rooted in diverse regional expertise and subject-matter knowledge, the DFRLab works to promote digital resilience, defend democratic institutions, and ensure that objective fact remains central to public discourse in an increasingly contested information space.

Read the DFRLab’s latest case studies, learn about our initiatives, and more at DFRLab.org

STAY CONNECTED

Receive the latest research, along with discussions about disinformation and tech issues.

ABOUT US

Programs

The Democracy + Tech Initiative creates policy practices that align global stakeholders toward tech and governance that reinforces, rather than undermines, open societies. It builds on the DFRLab’s established track record and leadership in the open-source field, empowering global communities to promote transparency and accountability online and around the world.

The Atlantic Council Technology Programs comprises five existing efforts—the Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab), the GeoTech Center, the Cyber Statecraft Initiative, the Democracy + Tech Initiative, and the Capacity Building Initiative. These operations work together to address the geopolitical implications of technology and provide policymakers and global stakeholders necessary research, insights, and convenings to address challenges around global technology and ensure its responsible advancement.

LATEST RESEARCH

PROJECTS

Upcoming & Recent Events

Employment opportunities

There are no employment opportunities currently open.

From the archives

Experts

Content

Atlantic Debrief

Jul 25, 2023

#AtlanticDebrief – What’s the role of the ITU? | A Debrief from Doreen Bogdan-Martin

Fran Burwell sits down with Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the ITU, to discuss the organization's priorities and engagement in global tech debates.

Digital Policy
Europe & Eurasia
Russian officers from the wagner group are seen around Central African president Faustin-Archange Touadera as they are part of the presidential security system during the referendum campaign to change the constitution and remove term limits, in Bangui, Central African Republic July 17, 2023. REUTERS/Leger Kokpakpa

New Atlanticist

Jul 20, 2023

Russian War Report: Wagner is still in business in Africa

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

Despite their Russia-based forces being relocated to Belarus after their failed mutiny, Wagner Group is still alive and active in Africa, including ahead of a referendum in the Central African Republic.

Africa
Belarus
A damaged canvas sign featuring the logo for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNCHR) appears among the ruins of an attack on an aid station in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Ukraine. (Source: zoda_gov_ua/archive)

New Atlanticist

Jul 13, 2023

Russian War Report: Russian airstrike hits humanitarian aid station

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

Russian offensives in Donetsk and Luhansk left several villages damaged from shelling while a Russian airstrike destroyed an aid station in Zaporizhzhia.

Conflict
Media
IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi visits Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant during a recent inspection, June 15, 2023. (Source: IAEA via ABACAPRESS.COM and Reuters Connect)

New Atlanticist

Jul 7, 2023

Russian War Report: Russian conspiracy alleges false flag at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

Allegations of a supposedly US and Ukraine-planned false flag operation on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant spread across social media ahead of the NATO Summit.

Conflict
Disinformation

New Atlanticist

Jun 30, 2023

Russian War Report: Kremlin denies that it targeted civilians in a missile attack on a pizza restaurant

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

A deadly Russian missile strike on a cafe in Kramatorsk leaves a dozen dead and more injured. Post-mutiny, Wagner's future in Africa is up in the air.

Africa
Belarus

In-Depth Research & Reports

Jun 29, 2023

The disinformation landscape in West Africa and beyond

By Tessa Knight, Jean le Roux

A look at West Africa’s information environment, with particular emphasis on local and international disinformation campaigns targeting the region and beyond.

Africa
Digital Policy
Founder of Wagner private mercenary group Yevgeny Prigozhin speaks inside the headquarters of the Russian southern army military command center, which is taken under control of Wagner PMC, according to him, in the city of Rostov-on-Don, Russia in this still image taken from a video released June 24, 2023. Press service of "Concord"/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. MANDATORY CREDIT. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

New Atlanticist

Jun 24, 2023

Russian War Report Special Edition: Prigozhin and Wagner forces mutiny against Moscow

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

A special edition of the Russian War Report on Wagner Group's mutiny against the Russian military and occupation of Rostov.

Conflict
Internet
Ukrainian drone operators in Ukraine’s Donbas region, February 14, 2023. Russia’s Wagner Group is attempting to recruit gamers to join its own ranks of drone pilots. (Source: Reuters Connect/Kish Kim/Sipa USA)

New Atlanticist

Jun 22, 2023

Russian War Report: Wagner attempts to draft gamers as drone pilots

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

Russian PMC Wagner Group is encouraging gamers to apply to serve as drone pilots in the war against Ukraine while Ukrainian forces advance on the eastern front.

Conflict
Drones
A Ukrainian national flag is seen, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, near the front line in the newly liberated village Neskuchne in Donetsk region, Ukraine June 13, 2023. REUTERS/Oleksandr Ratushniak TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

New Atlanticist

Jun 15, 2023

Russian War Report: Anti-Ukrainian counteroffensive narratives fail to go viral

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

As the Ukrainian counteroffensive continues in Ukraine's south and east, false narratives calling it unsuccessful fail to gain traction on Twitter.

Conflict
Disinformation

Transcript

Jun 8, 2023

The European Commission’s Rita Wezenbeek on what comes next in implementing the Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act

By Atlantic Council

At a DFRLab RightsCon event, Wezenbeek spoke about the need to get everyone involved in the implementation of the DSA and DMA.

Disinformation
European Union